A 30-year-old man who accepted that he had two grams of cannabis in his possession was yesterday fined $5,000 and ordered to do six weeks of community service when he appeared before Magistrate Sueanna Lovell at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Dwayne Griffith pleaded guilty with explanation to the charge which stated that on May 14 at Georgetown he had in his possession two grams of cannabis.
When given a chance to respond to the possession of narcotics charge, Griffith who resides at 1010 A&B Cemetery Road, Lodge, said that the police did not find any drugs on him neither is he the owner of any drugs.
Magistrate Lovell subsequently entered a not guilty plea for the defendant, cautioning that his explanation refuted that he had the illegal substance in his possession. She then informed the unrepresented Griffith that he would be remanded to prison until May 30.
Upon hearing that he would be denied his pre-trial liberty Griffith exclaimed, “Me ain’t able with remand meh worship.”
The visibly distressed accused told the court that he preferred to accept the allegation as opposed to being placed on remand and having to be constantly taken to court “again and again.” The magistrate, however, explained to him that she could not accept his guilty plea if he maintained that he was innocent of the charge.
Griffith then told the court that he preferred to change his plea altogether instead. The charge was then reread to the defendant and he accepted that he had committed the offence.
Police Corporal Venetta Pindar in presenting the prosecution’s facts said that on the day in question, the police were on a mobile patrol when they observed the accused acting in a suspicious manner. According to the corporal, the man was stopped and searched by the lawmen who uncovered the suspected cannabis concealed between his legs.
The court then heard that Griffith was taken to the East La Penitence Police Station where the suspected illegal drugs were weighed in his presence and amounted to two grams. He was then told of the offence committed, arrested and charged.
After hearing the case, the presiding magistrate imposed a fine of $5,000 on the defendant with an alternative of one month imprisonment. Additionally, he was ordered to do six weeks community service at the East La Penitence Police Outpost.
